Yao Xiang, courtesy name Jingguo, posthumously honored Prince Wu of Wei, was an ethnic Qiang warlord during the Sixteen Kingdoms and Jin dynasty in Chinese history.
58 Facts About Yao Xiang
1.
2.
Yao Xiang was the fifth son and heir of the Later Zhao general Yao Yizhong.
3.
The year of Yao Xiang's birth is a matter of dispute.
4.
Yao Xiang was eight chi five cun tall and even in his youth, he was very popular among the gentry and common people for his talents and hospitality.
5.
Yao Xiang's first recorded military action was in 350 amidst the aftermath of Ran Min's takeover of the Zhao government.
6.
Yao Xiang fought against Yizhong's former colleague, the Di leader Pu Hong, over the strategic location of Guanyou but was badly defeated.
7.
Later that year, Yao Xiang Yizhong was appointed the Prime Minister of the Right.
8.
Yizhong declined, as Yao Xiang was not the eldest son.
9.
However, support for Yao Xiang continued to grow, so Yizhong eventually accepted their demand.
10.
Yao Xiang was later appointed by the Zhao ruler, Shi Zhi, as Commissioner Bearing Credentials.
11.
Yao Xiang arrived in Xiangguo with assistance from Shi Kun and Former Yan's general Yue Wan.
12.
Yao Xiang defeated Ran Min's general Hu Mu at Zhanglu.
13.
In 352, Yao Xiang Yizhong died, and before his death, he advised his sons to join Jin in the south now that the Shi clan had been destroyed.
14.
Yao Xiang succeeded his father but kept his death a secret.
15.
Yao Xiang attacked the counties of Fagan, Yangping and Yuancheng before stopping at Que'ao Crossing to hand out appointments.
16.
Yao Xiang then continued his journey, encountering Former Qin forces and suffering a defeat at Matian along the way.
17.
At Matian, Yao Xiang's horse was shot, so Yao Chang gave his horse to Xiang to allow him to escape.
18.
Yao Xiang sent five of his younger brothers to the Jin capital of Jiankang as hostages.
19.
Around this time, Yao Xiang visited the Jin official Xie Shang at Shouchun.
20.
In 353, Yao Xiang believed that Former Qin and Former Yan had both grown strong, and to attack them would only result in defeat.
21.
Meanwhile, Yin Hao began to worry about Yao Xiang's growing influence and was eager to get rid of him.
22.
Yao Xiang had his general, Liu Qi stationed at Qiao and ordered Xiang to move from Qiao to Litai in Liang state.
23.
Meanwhile, Yao Xiang became increasingly worried as he noticed that Wei Jing's sons and brothers were constantly visiting Yin Hao's base in Shouchun.
24.
Yao Xiang sent his advisor Quan Yi to discuss the issue with Yin Hao.
25.
However, Yao Xiang now had the intention to break away from Jin.
26.
When Yin Hao's army were close by, Yao Xiang pretended to flee north during the night while setting up ambushes for pursuing Jin forces.
27.
Yao Xiang's ambushes devastated Yin Hao's army as they killed and captured thousands of their forces.
28.
Yao Xiang then left his brother Yao Yi to guard Shansang while he returned south to Huainan.
29.
Yin Hao sent Liu Qi and Wang Binzhi to attack Shansang, but Yao Xiang turned back from Huainan to attack them.
30.
Soon, Yao Xiang crossed the Huai River and camped at Xuyi, where he gathered thousands of refugees and officials under his wing.
31.
Yao Xiang instructed his followers to farm and start silkworm cultivation while he sent envoys to Jiankang denouncing Yin Hao and apologising for actions.
32.
Guo surrendered the commandery to Yao Xiang, which caused the Jin court to panic as this left Jiankang exposed to Xiang.
33.
In 355, Yao Xiang declared himself Grand Chanyu and Grand General.
34.
Yao Xiang agreed, and along the way, he fought with the Jin general Gao Ji at Waihuang.
35.
Yao Xiang was defeated at first, but managed to regather his scattered troops and continued the assault.
36.
Gao eventually died of natural causes, allowing Yao Xiang to overcome his leaderless army.
37.
Yao Xiang planned to establish a base in the Hedong region before pressing on to conquer Guandong.
38.
Not long after, Wang Liang died, and Yao Xiang became remorseful of his death.
39.
Soon enough, Huan Wen arrived at the Yi River, and Yao Xiang was forced to break off his siege in order to face him.
40.
Yao Xiang lost several thousands of his men, so he retreated with his army to the north of Luoyang.
41.
Yao Xiang was reputed to be brave and kind to the people, and wherever he was present, families would often rush to join him.
42.
Huan Wen asked him what kind of man Yao Xiang was, to which he said, "Yao Xiang has divine wisdom and a broad mind, just like Sun Ce, but in valor and martial prowess he surpasses even the latter".
43.
Not long after his defeat at Luoyang, Yao Xiang invaded Former Qin's Pingyang County.
44.
Yao Xiang placed the county's Administrator, Fu Chan, under siege at Fort Xiongnu.
45.
Yao Xiang received the surrender of Qin's Inspector of Bingzhou, Yin Chi, who used to be one of Yao Xiang's subordinate.
46.
Yao Xiang then sent an envoy to Qin's emperor, Fu Sheng, demanding permission to cross his territory in order to return to Yao Xiang's homeland in Longxi.
47.
Yao Xiang beheaded Fu Sheng's envoys and burned their seals and books before sending them back to Fu Sheng.
48.
Yao Xiang then attacked and plundered Hedong Commandery, where he was able to capture Xiangling County.
49.
Qin's Grand General, Zhang Ping campaigned and eventually defeated Yao Xiang, prompting Yao Xiang to seek peace with Zhang Ping.
50.
Yao Xiang camped at Xingcheng, where he sent Yao Lan to attack Fucheng as well as Yao Yisheng and Wang Qinlu to get the surrender of the Qiang people.
51.
However, they were defeated by Fu Fei, and Yao Xiang Lan was taken prisoner.
52.
Meanwhile, Deng Qiang knew that Yao Xiang was flustered by his recent defeats to Huan Wen and Zhang Ping.
53.
Yao Xiang proposed a plan to Fu Huangmei in which he would lead his troops straight into Xingcheng, making loud noises with their drums and wildly waving their flags to lure Yao Xiang out.
54.
Deng Qiang did so and Yao Xiang was immediately provoked.
55.
Yao Xiang quickly brought his army out to fight, and Deng Qiang feigned a retreat.
56.
Yao Xiang pursued him until they reached Sanyuan, where they were met with Qin forces under Fu Huangmei and Fu Jian.
57.
Yao Xiang was badly defeated, and he attempted to flee on his horse, Limeigua.
58.
Yao Xiang was given a ducal funeral by Fu Sheng, while his father Yao Yizhong, whose coffin he carried around, was given one for a prince.